EIN Presswire: Fast Food Press Releases

Restaurants to Add 450,000 Summer Jobs, According to National Restaurant Association Projections

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:48:55 +0000

Restaurants to Add 450,000 Summer Jobs, According to National Restaurant Association Projections

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Restaurants are expected to add 450,000 jobs this summer season, a 4.6 percent increase over the March 2012 employment level, according to National Restaurant Association projections released today. This year shows the highest summer employment numbers since 1993.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/DC13581-INFO )

"Restaurant industry employment growth will outpace overall employment growth for the 13th year in a row this year, illustrating the key role restaurants play in the nation's economy," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the research and knowledge group for the Association. "The boost of this year's 450,000 summer jobs will propel total eating and drinking place employment to its highest on record. Overall, America's nearly one million restaurants employ nearly 10 percent of the nation's overall workforce."

America's restaurants are the nation's second largest private sector employer with nearly 13 million employees, a number projected to grow by 1.4 million positions in the next decade.

The states projected to add the most eating and drinking place jobs during the 2012 summer season are New York (43,800), California (32,900), Massachusetts (28,800), Texas (24,600), New Jersey (22,900), Michigan (20,100), Ohio (19,900) and Illinois (19,400).

The states projected to register the largest proportional employment increase during the 2012 summer season are Maine (31.7 percent increase), Alaska (23.8 percent increase) and Delaware (20.0 percent increase).

Eating and drinking places added 444,100 jobs during the 2011 summer season, 427,100 jobs during the 2010 summer season, and 391,300 jobs during the 2009 summer season. The restaurant industry is usually the nation's second-largest creator of summer jobs, behind the construction industry.

Complete state-by-state 2012 projections, plus a national 10-year review, of restaurant summer employment can be found on the Association's website.

Summer employment is defined as the average number of eating and drinking place jobs in June, July and August. The number of summer jobs is the difference between the projected total 2012 summer employment and the March 2012 employment level. Generally, the U.S. restaurant industry begins to ramp up its summer seasonal hiring in April, and it peaks in June, July and August. Eating and drinking places account for approximately three-fourths of the total restaurant and foodservice workforce.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 970,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We operate the industry's largest trade show (NRA Show May 18-21, 2013, in Chicago); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart, including the National ProStart Invitational April 19-21, 2013, in Baltimore, Md.); as well as the Kids LiveWell program promoting healthful kids' menu options. For more information, visit www.restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association

Like, Share or Tweet and Taco Bell Will Give Mas To Help Teens Graduate

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Like, Share or Tweet and Taco Bell Will Give Mas To Help Teens Graduate

Mark Wahlberg to Appear in New Graduate to Go Ad to Support National Fundraising Campaign in Taco Bell Restaurants

PR Newswire

IRVINE, Calif., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens' Graduate to Go initiative is inviting Americans to like, share or tweet to help at-risk teens graduate high school. In return, Taco Bell will give up to $1 million to Graduate to Go to support teen-serving organizations. The $1 million gift represents the more than 1 million students that drop out of high school each year.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/LA13198)

The Graduate to Go social media effort is part of a two-week campaign including a TV ad with Mark Wahlberg and national fundraiser in participating Taco Bell restaurants. From May 24 to June 7, Taco Bell will donate $5 for each of the following actions taken (maximum total donation $1 million):

"Like" the custom-designed graduation caps created by Boys & Girls Club teens that will be posted on the Taco Bell Facebook page
Tweet or Retweet using the hashtag #GraduatetoGo
Share Graduate to Go's new TV ad featuring Mark Wahlberg and teen, Mona Dixon. Click here for behind-the-scenes video from the ad filming.

"Graduate to Go strives to put a diploma in every teen's hand, and it's going to require action from all of us," says Greg Creed, chief executive officer, Taco Bell. "Taco Bell is providing simple ways to make a big difference both in our restaurants and online, and our hope is that we can inspire the nation to mobilize around this important cause."

The high school dropout rates are staggering in America, with one student dropping out of high school every 26 seconds. More than 30 percent of teens in the U.S. and up to 50 percent of Latinos and African Americans fail to graduate with their class. Dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, in prison or on public assistance.**

Raising Funds with Taco Bell® Restaurants

Additionally, participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide will host the 4th annual Graduate to Go fundraiser through June 7th to encourage customers to donate $1 to fund teen programs. As thanks for customer support, participating restaurants will give contributors a taco coupon.

The success of the 2011 national fundraiser enabled the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens to distribute 350 grants totaling $3 million to Boys & Girls Clubs and other organizations that inspire teens to graduate high school.

Raising Awareness with Mark Wahlberg

To help bring more awareness to the dropout crisis and support this initiative, Actor/Producer Mark Wahlberg, the Graduate to Go ambassador for the third consecutive year, will appear in a national TV spot to encourage support. The ad features Boys & Girls Club Alumni Mona Dixon, who was helped by Graduate to Go through her involvement with the Club. Wahlberg also continues to support teens through his Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.

"Each time I talk to a teen like Mona Dixon who has been helped by Graduate to Go, I am reminded of the reasons why I've partnered with the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens," said Mark Wahlberg. "Participating in this campaign with Mona inspired me, and I hope it will inspire others to help teens like her achieve greatness against all odds."

In the TV spot titled "Imagine," Mark Wahlberg tells Mona Dixon's story of being homeless through her high school years and reveals how Graduate to Go helped her get where she is today – a successful college student with a 3.93 GPA. The ad closes with a call-to-action, encouraging consumers to give $1 at participating Taco Bell® restaurants.

"Life hasn't been easy for me and I'm sure there are more teens just like me out there," said Mona Dixon. "I'm so thankful to have had the support of so many and hope my story lets other teens know that there is a way to overcome the barriers you face."

About Graduate to Go

Graduate to Go is a national initiative of Taco Bell Foundation, Inc., also known as the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, committed to addressing the growing number of high school dropouts in the U.S. The initiative funds real-world experiences, such as job training and college preparation, proven to motivate teens to stay in school.

Through the Graduate to Go initiative, the Foundation serves more than 100,000 teens and awards more than 350 grants and scholarships each year. Support includes the Graduate to Go Multi-Media Studios, Graduate to Go Business Camp, and National Keystone leadership program at 1,600 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. For more information about Graduate to Go, visit www.graduatetogo.com, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GraduateToGo.

Since 1995, more than $30 million has been donated to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other teen-serving organizations with the help of on-going customer, franchisee and employee donations.

About Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell"), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme®, in addition to the Why Pay More® Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.

About The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

Mark Wahlberg and his family established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation on the belief that no child should be prevented to living up to his or her potential due to financial hardship. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for teens living in urban communities and distributes funds to support local youth service and enrichment programs nationwide. A life-long member and advocate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Mark comes from a family of nine children with limited means and spent most of his afternoons and evenings at his local club. He credits a large part of his success to the fact that he was fortunate to spend his free time in a positive and nurturing environment. Visit www.markwahlbergyouthfoundation.com.

** Silent Epidemic Research Study, March 2006

Contact:
Emily Hallford
310/309-6616
emily.hallford@bm.com

SOURCE Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

Marble Slab Creamery® and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery® To Debut Limited-Edition Flavors to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:07:00 +0000

Marble Slab Creamery® and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery® To Debut Limited-Edition Flavors to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

PR Newswire

ATLANTA, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marble Slab Creamery® and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery® will kick-off the Memorial Day weekend by offering limited-edition Hola Margarita Sorbet and Caramelized Pineapple Ice Cream. Both brands are managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

A refreshing treat, with no dairy or sugar, the Hola Margarita Sorbet is available in individual push-pops for $3.99 each or in a three-pack for $9.99 as well as by the scoop ranging in price from $2.99-$5.99.

The dessert destination will also debut the Coconut Pineapple Paradise Favorite Combination featuring limited edition Caramelized Pineapple Ice Cream, chocolate chips, coconut flakes and marshmallow topping.

"We are excited to kick-off the summer with some delicious new flavors," said Jenn Johnston, chief marketing and operations officer for GFG Management, LLC. "We are known for our playful and innovative products and we think our fans will enjoy sampling the Hola Margarita Sorbet and our new Caramelized Pineapple Ice Cream this weekend."

For summer giveaways, coupons specials and more information visit our web sites www.marbleslab.com or www.maggiemoos.com and check our Facebook® pages www.facebook.com/marbleslabcreamery or www.facebook.com/maggiemoos. You can also join the conversation on Twitter (@Marbleslab or @MaggieMoos).

About Marble Slab Creamery® www.marbleslab.com

Marble Slab Creamery, a leading purveyor of chef created super-premium hand-mixed ice cream and the innovator of the frozen slab technique, was founded in 1983. Every batch of Marble Slab Creamery ice cream is fresh made in small batches in store using dairy from local farms and flavor ingredients from around the world. Today, Marble Slab Creamery is enjoyed by consumers across the globe with locations in Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Oman, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

About MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery® www.maggiemoos.com

Inventor of the ice cream cupcake, ice cream pizza and a number of specialty ice cream flavors, MaggieMoo's Ice Cream &Treatery is known for ice cream innovation. Opening its first store in 1989, MaggieMoo's has been serving up super premium ice cream and cakes for over 20 years and has consistently been awarded blue ribbons by the National Ice Cream Retailers Association. MaggieMoo's brand icon is Miss Maggie Moo, an ice cream celubutante, who focuses on giving back to the community by working with celebrities to raise money and awareness for local and national causes.

About Global Franchise Group, LLC www.globalfranchise.com

Global Franchise Group, LLC is a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising. The company owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes five quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies®, MaggieMoo's®, Marble Slab Creamery®, Pretzelmaker® and Pretzel Time®, as well as two retail franchise concepts: TAF® and Shoebox New York®. The brands are managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group, LLC. Global Franchise Group, LLC is an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, an independent investment firm, with approximately $5 billion of capital under management and substantial franchise management experience.

SOURCE Global Franchise Group

Dunkin' Brands to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Dunkin' Brands to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

PR Newswire

CANTON, Mass., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN), the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts (DD) and Baskin-Robbins (BR), announced today that management will be presenting on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at the Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference in New York City at 9:15 am Eastern Time, on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the William Blair & Company Growth Stock Conference in Chicago at 2:10 pm Central Time, and on June 18, 2012 at the Jefferies Global Consumer Conference in Nantucket, Mass. at 12:00 pm Eastern Time.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110317/NY67297LOGO )

Live audio webcasts will be available at http://investor.dunkinbrands.com under the Events and Presentations tab, and will be archived in the same section for a period of 14 days.

About Dunkin' Brands
With more than 16,800 points of distribution in nearly 60 countries worldwide, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) is one of the world's leading franchisors of quick service restaurants (QSR) serving hot and cold coffee and baked goods, as well as hard-serve ice cream. At the end of 2011, Dunkin' Brands' nearly 100 percent franchised business model included more than 10,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and more than 6,700 Baskin-Robbins restaurants. For the full-year 2011, the company had franchisee-reported sales of approximately $8.3 billion. Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. is headquartered in Canton, Mass.

SOURCE Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop Celebrates National Donut Day With Free Donut Coupon

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop Celebrates National Donut Day With Free Donut Coupon

PR Newswire

Fans Who "Like" Tim Hortons U.S. Facebook Page Will Receive a Coupon Good for One Free Donut With Any Purchase on June 1

DUBLIN, OH, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - In celebration of National Donut Day, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop is offering its U.S. Facebook fans and those who newly "like" its U.S. Facebook page a free donut with any purchase coupon valid on June 1—National Donut Day.

This is the third year the cafe bakery chain has participated in National Donut Day celebrations with an online coupon.

"Our beloved donuts are a significant part of the foundation of this company," said Mike Meilleur, senior vice president of U.S. operations, Tim Hortons. "We think National Donut Day is as much of a holiday to celebrate big as any other national holiday. The Facebook coupon is our way to reward our loyal guests and introduce new fans to the brand."

The first Tim Hortons restaurants offered only two products—coffee and donuts. The selection of donuts to enjoy was highlighted by two original Tim Hortons creations, the Apple Fritter and the Dutchie. Still known and loved today for its wide variety of trademark donuts and bite-sized Timbits®, the chain's bestselling donut in the United States is the Boston Cream.

The National Donut Day coupon is now available at www.facebook.com/TimHortonsUS , but is only valid on Friday, June 1.

National Donut Day is celebrated across the United States on the first Friday in June. The annual event originated in 1938 as a Great Depression fundraiser by the Chicago Salvation Army to honor women who served donuts to soldiers in World War I.

To learn more about Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop, visit www.timhortons.com or follow on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TimHortonsUS and Twitter www.twitter.com/TimHortonsUS).

About Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop
Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, espresso-based beverages, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, grilled paninis, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts. As of April 1, 2012, Tim Hortons had 721 restaurants in the United States and 4,042 restaurants systemwide. For more information, visit www.timhortons.com.

SOURCE Tim Hortons Inc.

Unilever Food Solutions' 'World Menu Report' Shows U.S. Diners Face Barriers to Choosing Healthier Options, Launches 'Seductive Nutrition' Approach to Menus

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Unilever Food Solutions' 'World Menu Report' Shows U.S. Diners Face Barriers to Choosing Healthier Options, Launches 'Seductive Nutrition' Approach to Menus

New Program Highlights Need for Slightly Healthier Dishes That Taste and Sound Good

PR Newswire

LISLE, Ill., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Unilever Food Solutions' latest World Menu Report titled "Seductive Nutrition" finds that U.S. restaurant guests want the choice of eating healthier when dining out, but those good intentions do not always translate into action. While 52 percent of U.S. diners surveyed said they frequently look for healthy menu options when eating out, 70 percent prefer to treat themselves when they place their order. Nearly 40 percent of diners say the "healthy" option sounds less "tasty" or may not be as filling. To help diners overcome these barriers and change perceptions, Unilever Food Solutions is recommending a simple solution for restaurant chefs and operators called "Seductive Nutrition."

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/CG12021LOGO)

"Seductive Nutrition" is a new approach to menu development that nudges guests to choose a slightly "healthier" option when eating out. It includes a "Seductive Nutrition" tool that takes a before-and-after look at ten top menu items updated with small changes to improve their nutrition profile, reduce calories and enhance their menu descriptions. The good news for the industry is that this approach can help make operators' businesses healthier too. "Seductive Nutrition" and the report's focus on health and nutrition highlight one of the fundamental initiatives that Unilever Food Solutions is dedicated to addressing through its enhanced consultation services. Through its "Your Menu" service area, Unilever Food Solutions provides tools to chefs and operators to help create nutritious, healthy and profitable menus.

"If diners are looking for more healthy food, it's our duty to make healthy options available, but we also still want guests to be satisfied with filling, tasty dishes," said Unilever Food Solutions' Corporate Executive Chef Steve Jilleba. "'Seductive Nutrition' is about balancing the health and appeal of your menus. For example, by using ingredients like leaner cuts of meat and more aromatic spices to flavor instead of lots of salt, chefs can make dishes that are appealing and taste delicious while being a little bit healthier."

Restaurant guests are not looking for dishes to be completely revamped or restaurant menus to be overhauled. More than two-thirds of diners would prefer to have just "slightly healthier" menu options to help them make their eating decisions. The survey also found that updated menu descriptions could help entice diners to select the healthier dishes on the menu. As a part of the survey, diners were provided with a healthy dish described on two menus – the first "neutral" and the second more "seductive." In 90 percent of the countries surveyed, diners were more inclined to choose the dish from the menu that included descriptor words, such as "steamed," "succulent" and "fresh."

"Insights from this study show that the small changes to top menu items can make a big difference," said Lisa Carlson, M.S., R.D., nutrition manager, Unilever Food Solutions North America. "In essence, these small updates serve as a powerful way to help guests choose a healthier option. They can have an enormous impact on the health of diners across the U.S."

The global report, commissioned by Unilever Food Solutions, surveyed 5,000 diners in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Turkey, Poland, South Africa and Indonesia to measure consumers' attitudes on the challenges they face in making healthier meal choices when eating out-of-home. In November 2010, Unilever rolled out its Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, with one of the main goals is to help more than one billion people improve their health and well-being by 2020. Now, more than a year into the 10-year plan, Unilever Food Solutions continues to contribute to the successful results attained so far in reaching this goal through such activities as the World Menu Report and its consultation services.

To learn more about Unilever Food Solutions' "Seductive Nutrition" approach and to view the "Seductive Nutrition" tool, visit http://www.unileverfoodsolutions.us/promotions/seductive-nutrition.

About Unilever Food Solutions North America

At Unilever Food Solutions, we help chefs all over the world serve tasty, wholesome meals that keep guests coming back for more. We create ingredients that save precious prep time in the kitchen without compromising on flavor or flair, and constantly provide ideas and inspiration that keep your menu fresh and exciting. Our ingredients are some of the staples of professional kitchens in 74 countries around the world: Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton and more. We've been in the foodservice industry since the 1880s. We have more than 300 chefs on staff around the world. We understand that critical balance between impressing your guests and making a profit, and how to keep your menus and recipes fresh and exciting as times and tastes change.

For More Information:
Jana Rhodes
GolinHarris Public Relations
+1 312 729 4221
JRhodes@GolinHarris.com

SOURCE Unilever Food Solutions

Sweet Deal: Dunkin' Donuts Announces Free Donut Offer For National Donut Day On June 1

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Sweet Deal: Dunkin' Donuts Announces Free Donut Offer For National Donut Day On June 1

Celebrate National Donut Day at Dunkin' Donuts with a free donut with the purchase of any beverage

PR Newswire

CANTON, Mass., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, everyday stop for coffee, donuts and baked goods, today announced that it will be honoring National Donut Day, celebrated this year on Friday, June 1, with a sweet deal for donut lovers everywhere. On June 1, participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide will offer guests a free donut of their choice (while supplies last) with the purchase of any beverage.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110224/NY53806LOGO)

National Donut Day, celebrated on the first Friday of June each year, was originally established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to honor women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. According to John Costello, Chief Global Marketing and Innovation Officer at Dunkin' Brands, it's the perfect day to celebrate the joy that donuts bring to people each and every day. "With our heritage as the country's donut leader, we know best that donuts can make any moment in the day a little sweeter. We're proud to once again make it easy and affordable for everyone to celebrate National Donut Day by enjoying a free donut at Dunkin' Donuts with the purchase of any beverage," he said.

For more than 60 years, Dunkin' Donuts has been a leader in the donut category, selling 1.9 billion donuts and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats every day. Within the United States, Dunkin' Donuts offers more than 70 varieties of donuts, including beloved flavors such as Boston Kreme, Glazed and Chocolate Frosted. In May, Dunkin' Donuts introduced new donuts inspired by Men In Black 3. These include the Undercover Black Cocoa Donut, a star shaped yeast donut filled with brownie batter butter creme and topped with chocolate icing and star sprinkles, and the Chocolate Lunarmax Donut, a glazed chocolate cake donut with rich chocolate icing drizzle and star sprinkles. All Men In Black 3-inspired donuts are available at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide for a limited time.

To find a participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurant near you, visit https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/store/Search.aspx. To learn more about Dunkin' Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for six years running. The company has more than 10,000 restaurants in 32 countries worldwide. For the full-year 2011, Dunkin' Donuts' restaurants had global franchisee-reported sales of approximately $6.4 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is part of the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

Contact:
McCall Gosselin
Dunkin' Brands
781-737-5200
McCall.Gosselin@DunkinBrands.com

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts

Grub Crawl Inc. Partners With Bon Appetit Magazine

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:13:44 +0000

Grub Crawl has announced a new partnership with Bon Appetit magazine through 2014.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Grub Crawl has announced a new partnership with Bon Appetit magazine through 2014. Beginning in June 2012 as part of the new deal, the magazine will promote future Grub Crawls in their magazine and on their online webpage. Grub Crawl will be part of "The List" in the magazine's upcoming issue, set to hit newsstands in May.

Bon Appetit, one of the top circulating food magazines in the country, will also send an annual email newsletter blast to all San Francisco-based subscribers about Grub Crawl's future events. Also, Bon Appetit will also have the option to coordinate and promote their own crawl in which customers can get a discounted ticket toward the event.

"Teaming up with Bon Appetit is a great step for us as a company," said Grub Crawl co-founder Henson Gawliu. "Collaborating with a major publication helps bring out the best in what we have to offer to a wider audience."

Bon Appetit celebrates the world of great food and the pleasure of sharing it with others. Every issue invites readers into a hands-on experience, engaging them in all aspects of the epicurean lifestyle-cooking, dining, travel, entertaining, shopping and design.

Their philosophy matches well with Grub Crawl's vision of providing customers with not only the best food the Bay Area has to offer, but a social food tour event in which food lovers get a chance to experience the city and the people in it.

"The potential of this partnership is limitless and we will one day see a Grub Crawl in every top tourist destination in the world," said Gawliu. "Why try only one restaurant while on vacation when you can try multiple restaurants in a single day?"

Since 2010, Grub Crawl has established itself as one of the top food tours in the Bay Area. Having hosted hundreds of crawls, the company prides itself in providing locals a great taste of the Bay Area's food scene.

For more information about Grub Crawl or if you are interested in partnering up with Grub Crawl Inc. for a future Grub Crawl, please contact Henson Gawliu Jr at info@grubcrawl.com.

A "Grub Crawl" is essentially a walking social food tour in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. We take a group of Grub Crawlers to a series of restaurants and have everyone taste the best dishes each restaurant has to offer, all in one night. Reservations are already set. Each restaurant selects the dish they want to showcase. We provide a completely unique dining experience at a reasonable and discounted price! Grub Crawlers get to indulge themselves in the food, the restaurants, the culture, and the San Francisco Neighborhoods. For more information email us at info@grubcrawl.com.

Website: http://www.grubcrawl.com

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This Father's Day, Help Dad Find His Inner Viking: Give Him Adventure in a Bottle with Einstok Icelandic Craft Ale

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:12:00 +0000

If you really want to commemorate the man your father is, then treat him to something that celebrates adventure and helps him discover his inner viking: craft beer from Einstok Olgerd, brewed in Iceland just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

AKUREYRI, ICELAND, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Forget the ties, the tools and the lawn equipment. If you really want to commemorate the real man your father is, then treat him to something that celebrates adventure and helps him discover his inner viking: craft beer from Einstok Olgerd, brewed in Iceland just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

Einstok - which means "unique" or "distinctive" in Icelandic - starts its process with the perfect foundation for brewing craft ales: the purest water on earth. The water starts as rain or ancient glacial water from atop the Hlioarfjall Mountain, from where it flows through and is naturally purified by ancient lava fields. From there, brewmaster Baldur Karrason unites it with ingredients sourced both locally from Iceland and from all over the world to deliver craft beer that is distinct and flavorful, yet deliciously refreshing and drinkable.

The current product line consists of three styles that offer a variety of color and flavor:

Icelandic White Ale (ABV 5.2%): brewed in the centuries-old Belgian tradition, this ale features the complex flavors of the classic wit bier, including coriander and orange peel, all brewed with pure Icelandic water that delivers a cool smoothness that is flavorful and refreshingly drinkable.

Pale Ale (ABV 5.6%): American and Bavarian craft come together to create the Viking version of the Pale Ale. Mild, slight toffee flavors and generous hop aroma flood this ale with taste, brewed harmoniously with nature's finest Icelandic water.

Toasted Porter (ABV 6.0%): With clear notes of espresso and dark chocolate, this Porter is dark and rich, offering a medium body that is robust - yet smooth and seriously easy to drink. Be afraid of the dark no more.

Einstok is distributed throughout California by Wine Warehouse and is currently available in select stores, restaurants and bars throughout the state. To find out more, join us on Facebook or visit www.einstokbeer.com.

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Beef is taking a back burner to chicken, reports Mintel Menu Insights

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:40:06 +0000

Beef is taking a back burner to chicken, reports Mintel Menu Insights

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Beef may not be 'what's for dinner.' After the recent report of mad cow disease in California, combined with the bad press that is already looming over the beef industry from 'pink slime' – the beloved chicken might be making a resurgence on the foodservice scene, according to latest research from Mintel.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120222/CG58099LOGO)

"In addition to the recent health-related issues surrounding beef, and the already high beef prices, we expect restaurants to start focusing their attention on other proteins," says Kathy Hayden, foodservice analyst at Mintel. "Steakhouses have been struggling in this rough economy and have tried to compensate by offering smaller cuts or more "surf and turf" options, but ultimately, chicken menu innovation is giving restaurant-goers a fresh and less expensive option while dining out."

New data from Mintel Menu Insights shows the number of US menu items with poultry as an ingredient has climbed an average of 12% in the past three years and is expected to continue to increase in the next one to two years. The greatest growth has come from the casual dining segment followed by fast casual eateries.

Chicken fingers are the top poultry dish and have shown a 10% increase on menus from Q1 2009 to Q1 2012, dominating QSR and family/midscale settings, due in large part to children's menus and appetizer lists. Buffalo wings continue to fly high in menu mentions, with a 19% increase in the same time frame. Where chicken sandwiches show a steep decline (-36%), chicken wraps are picking up the slack by increasing their menu mentions by 35%. Pizza is also jumping on the chicken bandwagon, with a 26% increase of chicken as a pizza topping.

The new trend of chicken snacks is also taking menus by storm. From McDonald's Chicken McBites to Whataburger's new Whatachick'n Bites and White Castle's Chicken Rings; snack-sized, dip-friendly chicken is a new part of the QSR roster. With so much competition, better quality (full-pieced, white-meat) chicken and distinct sauces are emerging as the ways to set one brand apart from the next.

"Chicken is a versatile ingredient," concludes Kathy Hayden. "In the future, you can expect to see it used in more ways, from pulled chicken sandwiches and bowls to more home-styled meals, like pot pies and stews."

About Mintel Menu Insights
Mintel's Menu Insights database tracks flavor, ingredient, marketing and nutritional claims from the 350 largest US chain restaurants and 150 independent restaurants. Our foodservice specialists have access to more than one million items on 2,400 food and drink menus, updated quarterly to track evolving menu trends. We also collect monthly limited time offer and menu additions descriptions. For more information please visit www.menuinsights.com.

Follow Mintel on Twitter, LinkedIn, or catch up with the latest news, views and information from the team behind Mintel on The Mintel Blog.

SOURCE Mintel Menu Insights

White Castle Honors America's Servicemen And Women During Fleet Week

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:22:54 +0000

White Castle Honors America's Servicemen And Women During Fleet Week

Fresh Grilled Sliders Served Onboard the U.S.S. Wasp

PR Newswire

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of sailors, Marines and members of the Coast Guard are celebrating Fleet Week in New York City with the one-of-a-kind, All-American White Castle Slider. With two outdoor specially made grills, White Castle team members will grill the restaurant's famous Sliders on the deck of the U.S.S. Wasp. More than 2,500 military personnel are being served approximately 5,000 fresh steam-grilled-on-a-bed-of-onions Sliders from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 25.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030828/WHITECASTLELOGO )

This "Taste of Home" event is a way for White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, to honor the U.S. military for its heroic dedication to our country.

"Our legion of loyal Cravers extends to those serving in the U.S. Military," said Jamie Richardson, vice president of White Castle and the Ambassador to Craver Nation. "It's our turn to give back. White Castle is honored to pay tribute by participating in Fleet Week and showing our support for the troops."

This "thank you" celebration is just part of the White Castle festivities for Fleet Week and National Hamburger Month.

Thursday, May 24, White Castle is dedicating Castle no. 47, located at 2900 E. Tremont Ave., for its historic significance in Castle history. Victor Gradowski's streak of eating White Castle for 218 consecutive weeks landed him in the Cravers Hall of Fame class of 2010. His streak started in 2004 and lasted until 2009. Castle no. 47 is where Gradowski consumed many of his White Castle meals during the great streak. Gradowski is being honored during the ceremony with a historic landmark plaque and this dedication ceremony establishes the first landmark for Craver Nation.

After the Castle dedication ceremony, hundreds of Craver Nation citizens will take an oath of Cravership. White Castle is known for the loyalty of its fans, fondly known as Cravers. This loyal dedication led to the birth of a new nation on May 1 – Craver Nation. The program encourages like-minded Cravers to form a social community with contests and rewards in the form of FREE Sliders.

"What could be more natural than our loyal followers pledging their complete commitment to distinctive taste," Richardson said.

United by a common craving and pledging their allegiance to a two-by-two square-inch, 100 percent all beef patty and all things White Castle, the ceremony is part of White Castle's new loyalty program. Each Craver Nation citizen receives an official Craverhead mask and White Castle is serving complimentary Sliders. Since its launch, Craver Nation has already gained thousands of citizens from around the globe.

About White Castle

White Castle is a family-owned business based in Columbus, Ohio that owns and operates more than 400 White Castle restaurants in 12 states. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas in 1921 and is America's first fast-food hamburger chain. All White Castle Sliders are made from 100-percent USDA approved beef or 100-percent white meat chicken. For more information on White Castle, visit www.whitecastle.com.

SOURCE White Castle

Fuddruckers® Launches Its 16th Houston Hometown Location Featuring The 'Worlds Greatest Hamburgers'® With New Spring Area Restaurant

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Fuddruckers® Launches Its 16th Houston Hometown Location Featuring The 'Worlds Greatest Hamburgers'® With New Spring Area Restaurant

PR Newswire

HOUSTON, Texas, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Fuddruckers® has reached a new milestone in Houston with the debut of its 16th hometown restaurant featuring premium, fast casual fare. The north side location opened last week at 7724 Louetta Road in the Spring area. Fuddruckers has been grilling the "World's Greatest Hamburgers®" in Texas for more than 30 years and now has 54 stores around the state.

The 3,700-square-foot space has undergone a major renovation to create a fitting backdrop for Fuddruckers' always fresh and never frozen 100% USDA premium-cut beef, which is cooked to order, with no fillers or additives. The dining room seats 64, and a covered patio with two, large screen TVs can accommodate 52. The corporate-owned restaurant serves as a showcase for Fuddruckers' dynamic, new interior scheme that pays homage to the chain's signature roadhouse look, while streamlining the popular design for today's more sophisticated tastes.

According to Peter Tropoli, Chief Operating Officer, "We're excited to be expanding in our hometown of Houston, where our loyal customer base has made us one of the city's top fast casual destinations."

A Fuddruckers' signature is its delicious, sesame-topped buns that are baked from scratch on-site throughout the day to achieve the perfect combination of crisp crust and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Guests can also customize their order at the legendary Build Your Own® produce bar, which offers a fantastic array of fixings, including sun-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, sliced onions, dill pickles, pico de gallo and Fuddruckers cheese sauce. In addition to customizing their burgers, guests can put a personal spin on their refreshments with the Coca-Cola Freestyle® system, which boasts more than 100 soda flavors.

About Luby's, Inc.
Luby's, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates restaurants under the brands Luby's and Fuddruckers and provides foodservice management through its Luby's Culinary Services division. The company-operated restaurants include 92 Luby's cafeterias, 58 Fuddruckers restaurants and four other non-core restaurants. Its 92 cafeterias are located throughout Texas and other states. Its Fuddruckers restaurants include 58 company-operated locations and 123 franchises across the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada. Luby's Culinary Services provides foodservice management to 19 sites consisting of healthcare, higher education and corporate dining locations.

For more information about Luby's, Inc., visit the company's website at www.lubys.com.

SOURCE Fuddruckers

Just In Time for Lemon and Lime at Krispy Kreme

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Just In Time for Lemon and Lime at Krispy Kreme

New Key Lime KREME™ Pie, Glazed Lemon Cake doughnuts and three fruity iced beverages now available

PR Newswire

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Krispy Kreme® adds some zest to its Fruit Stand Flavor summer treats with a new lemon and lime duo of doughnuts and three fruity blended beverages. The new Glazed Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Key Lime KREME™ Pie doughnuts are available through July 8 at participating Krispy Kreme US and Canada shops. Krispy Kreme also puts a new twist on its iced beverages with the introduction of Frozen Cherry, Frozen Lemonade and Frozen Cherry Lemonade Krispy Kreme Chillers®. Available through the end of summer at participating Krispy Kreme locations.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/CL10736)

"Sweet, tart and delicious, we've added the great taste of key lime to the signature KREME filling in our new Key Lime Kreme Pie doughnut and sweetened the citrus taste of the new Glazed Lemon Cake with our Original Glaze® and a tasty cream cheese icing," says Ron Rupocinski, Krispy Kreme Corporate Chef.

New Lemon and Lime doughnuts are fresh for the pick'n at participating locations:

Key Lime KREME™ Pie - Filled with a tangy blend of key lime and signature KREME filling, and topped with white icing and graham cracker crumble.
Glazed Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Icing - A glazed lemon cake doughnut, topped with cream cheese icing and lemon cake crumbles.

Treat your tastebuds to the icy-sweet fruit flavors of two new Krispy Kreme Chillers:

Frozen Cherry - The perfect balance of sweet and tart with an icy burst of berry flavor.
Frozen Lemonade - A refreshing thirst-quencher made with real lemons, sweetened with only cane sugar, and prepared icy cold.
Frozen Cherry Lemonade - Get the best of both worlds in one delicious beverage with this sweet and tangy blend of Frozen Cherry and Frozen Lemonade.

You can also find the new Glazed Lemon Cake doughnut at your nearest participating mass merchant, grocery and convenience stores. Doughnuts sold individually. Products may vary by market. Visit www.krispykreme.com/grocery for more on Krispy Kreme wholesale products.

In celebration of 75 years of love for its one-of-a-kind doughnuts, including the world-famous Original Glazed® doughnut- Krispy Kreme is inviting its fans around the globe to join the celebration. Post your Happy 75th Birthday message on a virtual Birthday Card, interact with the Time Machine of Joy, and share your sweetest Krispy Kreme memories at www.CelebrateKrispyKreme.com.

Connect with Krispy Kreme at KrispyKreme.com, KrispyKreme.com/HotLightApp, Facebook, foursquare and Twitter, and KrispyKremeDoughnuts on YouTube.

About Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is an international retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed(R) doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds. Today, Krispy Kreme can be found in approximately 690 locations around the world and approximately 10,000 grocery, convenience and mass merchant stores in the U.S. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Visit us at www.KrispyKreme.com.

SOURCE Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

Top Brands Thrive Despite Economy According to Millward Brown's Latest BrandZ[TM] top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands Study

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Top Brands Thrive Despite Economy According to Millward Brown's Latest BrandZ[TM] top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands Study

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

No1 Brand Apple Grows 19% to $182.9 Billion While IBM Eases Past Google to Take No.2 Spot

First African brand enters ranking

The world's biggest brands have continued to grow in value during the current economic uncertainty, according to WPP company Millward Brown's annual BrandZ^[^TM^]Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study. The No1 brand for the second year, Apple, rose 19% in value and is now worth $182.9 billion. IBM grew 15% in value to $115.9 billion and overtook Google, which dropped to third place in the ranking and is now worth $107.8 billion. In advance of its IPO, eight year old Facebook rose 74% in value, making it the fastest brand value riser in the ranking. Worth $33.2 billion the social network moved up to No.19 from No.35.

The study, commissioned by WPP and conducted by Millward Brown Optimor and now in its seventh year, identifies and ranks the world's most valuable brands by their dollar value, an analysis based on financial data, market intelligence and consumer measures of brand equity.

The 2012 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking demonstrates the power of strong brands as both a driver of new business growth and a critical support in hard times. Between 2006 and 2012, the total value of the BrandZ Top 100 rose 66% and is now worth $2.4 trillion.

"Brands are an insurance policy for businesses," said Eileen Campbell, Global CEO of brand research company Millward Brown. "Despite a prolonged period of economic stress, political uncertainty and natural disasters that buffeted brands across many categories, the value of the world's leading brands keeps rising across many categories, sustaining and nurturing businesses."

The Top 10 Most Valuable Global Brands 2012

                                                                        Brand
        Rank   Rank  Rank                                               Value
        2011 change  2012           Category              Brand       2012 ($M)
           1      0     1     Tech                   Apple             182,951
           3      1     2     Tech                   IBM               115,985
           2     -1     3     Tech                   Google            107,857
           4      0     4     Fast Food              McDonald's         95,188
           5      0     5     Tech                   Microsoft          76,651
           6      0     6     Soft drinks            Coca-Cola          74,286
           8      1     7     Tobacco                Marlboro           73,612
           7     -1     8     Communication Provider AT&T               68,870
          13      4     9     Communication Provider Verizon            49,151
           9     -1    10     Communication Provider China Mobile       47,041

David Roth for WPP said "Brands help businesses create competitive differentiation, command a price premium and become more resilient to crises or economic turbulence. This year, those businesses that leveraged technology, focused on the customer experience or boosted control of their brands thrived".

Apple continues to innovate and maintain its 'luxury' brand status, but faces future competition from Samsung. Now worth more than $14.1 billion, thanks in part to the success of its Galaxy handsets, Samsung is successfully outpacing Apple in a significant number of markets by positioning as a cool, well-priced alternative to the ubiquitous iPhone."

Key findings highlighted in this year's research report include:

Technology Prevails: Technology has become ubiquitous in all areas of our lives. Seven of the top 10 brands are technology or telecoms brands. However, the power of smart, simple-to-use technology can also be seen beyond these two sectors. In other categories - cars, financial services, luxury and retail for example - we can also see that brands are gaining significant advantages by using smart technology to enhance their customer experience. For example, Burberry - up 21% to $4 billion - created a virtual world where younger brand followers can view fashion shows and more.
The Rise of Africa: This year's ranking highlights the progress of Africa's economic development with the arrival of the first African brand in the Top 100 - South African mobile company MTN - No 88 at $9.2 billion. But it's not just African brands that are thriving south of the Sahara. Around 40% of Guinness's sales come from Africa, Airtel's third quarter results showed a 16% increase in revenue in Africa. Similarly, Orange enjoyed rapid growth in Africa in 2011, while Walmart invested there with the acquisition of Massmart.
The Future is Mobile: The future of the internet will be predominantly mobile rather than computer based. Mobile, to some extent, has been shielded from the recession as one of the few items consumers don't want to give up or cut back on. The most valuable telecoms brand is AT&T worth $68.8 billion. Whilst the USA's largest mobile service provider, Verizon, increased its brand value by 15% in the last year and is now worth $49.1 billion.
Retail: Constructing an Omni-Channel Business: The customer experience is a new focus for many retailers as they recognise its importance in keeping customers loyal and the need to be present anywhere and everywhere on the path to purchase. Walmart knocked Amazon from the top position and its brand is now worth $34.4 billion whilst Amazon is now worth $34 billion.
Brands with Women on the Board Outperform: As the number of women on corporate boards continues to rise,the BrandZ Top100 study this year reveals the success that women bring to brands. 77% of the brands appearing in the BrandZ^[^TM^]Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands have women in the boardroom. The average value of brands with women on the boards is $27 billion, double that of those companies without female directors. Not only that, these brands also show an average five-year growth of 66% compared to an average growth of only 6% for those BrandZ Top100 brands that don't have a woman on the board.
Strong Brands Provide Better Shareholder Value: An analysis of BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands as a 'stock portfolio' over the last seven years shows a highly favourable performance compared to a current stock market index, the S&P500. While the total return on investment (ROI) for all companies in the S&P500 index was just 2.3%, the BrandZ Portfolio provided a 36.3% ROI, proving that companies with strong brands are able to deliver better value to their shareholders. A graphic is available here.

The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study is the only valuation in the world that takes into account what people think about the brands they buy alongside rigorous analysis of financial data, market valuations, analyst reports and risk profiles. The research report, which is available online, includes a ranking and analysis of the most valuable brands for key regions of the world and 13 market sectors. Download the complete BrandZ ranking here, including regional and category breakdowns. The rankings and a great deal more are also available as a free interactive mobile app for Apple and Android and as an iPad magazine.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands Ranking

Developed for WPP's operating companies by Millward Brown Optimor, the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking is now in its seventh year. It is the only study to combine

measures of brand equity based on interviews with over 2 million consumers globally about thousands of global "consumer facing" and business-to-business brands with a rigorous analysis of the financial and business performance of each company (using data from Bloomberg and Kantar Worldpanel) to separate the value that brand plays in driving business revenue and market capitalization. Consumer perception of a brand is a key input in determining brand value because brands are a combination of business performance, product delivery, clarity of positioning, and leadership. The ranking takes into account regional variations since, even for truly global brands, measures of brand contribution might differ substantially across countries.

About Millward Brown

Millward Brown is one of the world's leading research agencies and is expert in effective advertising, marketing communications, media and brand equity research. Through the use of an integrated suite of validated research solutions - both qualitative and quantitative - Millward Brown helps clients build strong brands and services. Millward Brown has 82 offices in 52 countries. Additional practices include Millward Brown's Global Media Practice (media effectiveness unit), The Neuroscience Practice (using neuroscience to enhance traditional research techniques), Millward Brown Optimor (focused on helping clients maximize the returns on their brand and marketing investments), Dynamic Logic (the world leader in digital marketing effectiveness) and Firefly Millward Brown (a global qualitative research business). Millward Brown is part of Kantar, WPP's insight, information and consultancy group.

About WPP

WPP is the world's largest communications services group. Through its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services including advertising; media investment management; consumer insight; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing and specialist communications. The company employs over 158,000 people (including associates) in 2,500 offices in 107 countries.

For further information please contact:

Delyth Hughes
Associate Director, Global Communications and Marketing, Millward Brown
Tel: +44(0)1926-826179
Email: Delyth.Hughes@millwardbrown.com

Or

Teresa Horscroft
Eureka Communications
Tel: +44(0)1420-564346
Mobile: +44(0)7990-520390
Email: teresa@eurekacomms.co.uk

CiCi's Pizza Named 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs Magazine

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:01:15 +0000

CiCi's Pizza Named 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs Magazine

Pizza Buffet Leader Recognized for Expanding Veteran Franchise Ownership Opportunities

PR Newswire

COPPELL, Texas, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announced today it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs magazine. The company was recognized for its CiCi's Patriot Program, one of the industry's most extensive programs benefiting U.S. veterans. Through the CiCi's Patriot Program, CiCi's will waive its franchise fee for the first restaurant and offer a 50 percent royalty fee reduction for the first full year in operation for all qualified, honorably discharged U.S. veterans. This totals to an approximate savings of $58,000.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120222/NY57360LOGO )

"We are honored to be named a Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs and hope we can help even more veterans seeking a path to business ownership," said Bill Spae, chief operating officer at CiCi's Pizza. "At CiCi's, we are very thankful to the brave soldiers who put their lives at risk and sacrificed so much to serve and protect our country. We created the CiCi's Patriot Program to express gratitude and deepen our brand's commitment to veterans."

Veterans enrolled in the CiCi's Patriot Program are required to hire a manager who is also an honorably discharged veteran in an effort to create more jobs for the veteran community. Additionally, CiCi's Pizza will support the veteran franchisee to obtain his or her Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation through the International Franchise Association (IFA). CiCi's has also agreed to support Sprigster's "Boost a Hero" program, the nation's only crowdfunding platform focused exclusively on franchise, to further help veterans raise the necessary capital needed to gain business ownership.

"The Military Friendly Franchiseslist was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin," said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs. "Being selected as a Military Friendly Franchise places CiCi's Pizza in this elite group, and is testimony to CiCi's world class programs and policies that support military veterans interested in franchise opportunities."

CiCi's Pizza recently announced its 2012 growth plans to continue its Build the Brand growth initiative. From inquiry to opening, CiCi's Pizza's seasoned executives provide an unparalleled level of support. Qualified franchisees benefit from a 2-to-1 sales-to-investment ratio, demonstrating that CiCi's Pizza is a predictable, measurable and sustainable investment opportunity.

The company is actively seeking multi-unit and single-unit operators to help grow the brand in Southern California, the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and South Florida, as well as select cities in Texas and other regions across the U.S.

Candidates interested in opening a CiCi's Pizza restaurant should posses a passion for the brand and serving guests and families in a fast-paced environment. Franchisees are required to demonstrate a minimum of $250,000 in liquid capital, a minimum net worth of $750,000 per unit, and a credit score of 720 or better. Learn more about franchising opportunities on CiCi's Facebook page, or visit http://www.cicispizza.com/franchising, or call 972-745-9316.

About CiCi's Pizza
Coppell, Texas-based CiCi's Pizza opened its first restaurant in Plano, Texas in 1985, and is now one of the nation's fastest growing pizza chains. The family-oriented restaurant, known for its pizza, pasta, salad, soup and dessert buffet, has about 550 restaurants in 35 states. In 2011, Zagat recognized CiCi's on its list of most child-friendly fast-food chains, and Entrepreneur named CiCi's first in its category on the Franchise 500 list. In 2010, CiCi's was named to Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 list, and to Parents' list of top family-friendly restaurants. Nation's Restaurant News ranked CiCi's No. 1 in sales and unit growth among pizza chains for the past four years.

For more information about CiCi's, visit www.cicispizza.com or www.facebook.com/cicis.

About Military Friendly Franchises®
The full list of Military Friendly Franchises® is published each June in G.I. Jobs Magazine, and on www.MilitaryFranchising.com, a web tool that helps veterans decide which franchise to choose. Additional resources are posted on the Military Friendly Franchises® Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MilitaryFranchising. G.I. Jobs (www.gijobs.com) is published 12 times per year by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business. The company also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools®. You can follow G.I. Jobs on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GIJobsMagazine or on Twitter @gijobsmagazine

Media Contact:
Amanda Rich
Fish Consulting
202.248.6288
arich@fish-consulting.com

SOURCE CiCi's Pizza